PHILADELPHIA -- Rodney Williams tied his career high with 21 points, Austin Hollins had 16 and Minnesota beat La Salle 70-61 Wednesday night in the opening round of the NIT.

Andre Hollins added 13 points for the Golden Gophers (20-14), who play Miami in the second round after the Hurricanes beat Valparaiso 66-50.

"I am impressed," Smith said of his young team. "All year long, we've been in every game. Overall, we've been right there. Now, we're starting to make some of these steps."

The Gophers closed with a 15-6 run to give coach Tubby Smith his 100th win at the school. Only seven coaches in the program's history have won at least 100 games."I really didn't realize it," Smith said of the milestone. "You're so involved in the game."